A dentist has explained which is best for protecting your enamel - and you may need to rethink your morning dental routine07:17, 19 Jun 2026It's something everybody does on a daily basis - or at least, hopefully they do. Yet when it comes to brushing your teeth, one question continues to divide opinion. Is it better to brush your teeth before breakfast or after?‌Some argue that brushing before breakfast makes little sense, given that you're about to eat anyway, while others couldn't imagine starting their morning without brushing first.‌To put the debate to rest once and for all, dentist Dr Jyothi Chintamani from Dental Arch has outlined what dental professionals recommend, and the reasoning behind it.‌Should you brush your teeth before or after breakfast?Dr Jyothi explained that, despite seeming counterintuitive, brushing before breakfast is the superior choice, reports the Express.She explained: "When you wake up in the morning, there's been several hours where your mouth hasn't had the same natural cleansing effect from saliva."Brushing first helps remove that build-up of plaque and bacteria before you start eating."‌It also offers a crucial advantage for your teeth. She said: "When you brush with fluoride toothpaste, you're coating the teeth with fluoride before they're exposed to food and drink."That creates a protective barrier which can help protect the enamel from acidic foods and drinks consumed at breakfast."‌But you can still brush after breakfastMany popular breakfast staples such as berries, coffee and fruit juice are acidic, even when considered part of a healthy diet. Consuming acidic foods softens your enamel, so brushing immediately afterwards can actually accelerate tooth wear.Rather than grabbing your toothbrush straight after breakfast, Dr Jyothi advises holding off for a while.They said: "If you prefer brushing after breakfast, try to leave at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth.‌"This gives saliva time to neutralise acids and allows the enamel to recover."Should you rinse your mouth after brushing your teeth?According to the NHS, it is best to avoid rinsing your mouth after brushing. While you should spit out any excess toothpaste, rinsing with water will dilute the toothpaste's fluoride and reduce its effectiveness.Article continues belowIt's equally inadvisable to use mouthwash immediately after brushing - even if your mouthwash contains fluoride. The NHS warns that doing so washes away the concentrated fluoride left behind by the toothpaste.Mouthwash can help prevent tooth decay, but it's better to use it after lunch rather than immediately after brushing your teeth.Once you've used mouthwash, avoid eating or drinking anything for half an hour.